KEY STEPS

Enforcement branch of the Compliance Committee, 17th meeting
20-21 December 2011
Bonn, Germany
The provisional agenda and its annotations for the 17th meeting of the enforcement branch are
now available online.MoreView webcast (available as of 20 December
2011)

Launching the Green Climate Fund
22 December 2011
Bonn, Germany
Following the decision of the COP in Durban regarding the Green Climate Fund, the interim
secretariat of the GCF has issued a message to Parties concerning actions called for by the
COP. These actions include nominations to the Board of the GCF and offers to host the
GCF.
Notification (170 kB)

Durban conference delivers breakthrough in international community's response to
climate change
11 December 2011
Durban, South Africa
Countries meeting in Durban, South Africa, have delivered a breakthrough on the future of the
international community's response to climate change, whilst recognizing the urgent need to
raise their collective level of ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to keep the average
global temperature rise below two degrees Celsius.
Press release (193 kB)View
webcast of final press conference with UNFCCC Executive Secretary and COP 17/CMP 7
President

SS-GATE, UNDP and UNFCCC join hands to help green COP 1708 December
2011
Certified emission reduction (CER) credits from a clean development mechanism project in
Johannesburg will be used to offset the travel of UNFCCC secretariat staff and supported
delegates to COP 17 in a three-way initiative by the South-South Global Assets and Technology
Exchange (SS-GATE), the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation in the UNDP, and the
UNFCCC.
Press release (170 kB)

Launch event of UNFCCC Momentum for Change Initiative6 December
2011
Durban, South Africa
The secretariat has launched an initiative that aims to enhance the visibility of projects that
both benefit communities and either increase climate resilience, or reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. The launch event in Durban was moderated by Lord Nicholas Stern and opened by UN
Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, H.E. Mr. Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, and UNFCCC
Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres.MoreView
webcast of launch event

UNFCCC roster of expertsThe UNFCCC frequently requires specialized
consultants with broad experience in the domestic and international arena to undertake
professional level assignments. Potential consultants can register directly online via the
UNFCCC roster of experts.More

Decision on the host of COP 18/CMP 829 November 2011
Durban, South Africa
The State of Qatar and the Republic of Korea have agreed to closely cooperate to make the next
major UN Climate Change Conference at the end of 2012 a success. The 2012 UN Climate Change
Conference, COP 18/CMP 8 (the 18th Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC, plus the 8th session of
the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol),
will take place in Qatar from 26 November to 7 December 2012.
Press release (159 kB)

UN Climate Change Conference in Durban kicks off with South African President calling
on governments to "save tomorrow today"28 November 2011
Durban, South Africa
Against a background of record greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, more frequent and
intense extreme weather events, but also growing momentum for action to fight climate change,
the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban (28 November to 9 December) kicked off today.
Press release (165 kB)

Latest edition UNFCCC newsletter23 November 2011
Bonn, Germany
This edition focuses on the upcoming Climate Change Conference in Durban and includes video
messages from UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres, and Jacob Zuma, President of the
Republic of South Africa.NewsletterSubscribeUltima
edición del boletín de la CMNUCCSuscripción

iPhone and iPad applications for COP 17 / CMP 723 November 2011
Stay tuned and up-to-date by the minute on what's happening at the conference! Using the
application, users can among many other things:
View the latest youtube videos and photos from the conference, Read the latest documents,
agendas and meetings information, Join the Talks via the Facebook and Twitter channels and be
part of the action, Get logistical information about the conference.
Download the iPhone and iPad app – 'Negotiator' – free of charge here.

Secretariat launches new Momentum for Change Initiative22 November
2011
Bonn, Germany
The UNFCCC secretariat is seeking to acknowledge the increasing momentum for stronger
international and national action on climate change by highlighting projects in developing
countries that help put the world on a more climate-resilient and low-carbon path, whilst
demonstratively improving people's lives.More
Press release (175 kB)

New Fast-Start Finance web module now online
18 November 2011
Bonn, Germany
The new Fast-Start Finance module that can now be accessed on the UNFCCC website provides
user-friendly access to data from the information submitted by developed country Parties on the
resources provided in order to meet their Fast-Start Finance commitments.More Press release (161 kB)

Tribute to Mama Konaté (1950 - 2011)
It is with profound sadness that the Climate Change Secretariat has to inform all Parties and
observer organizations to the Convention and its Kyoto Protocol about the sudden death of Mr.
Mama Konaté, Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice
(SBSTA) and the National Focal Point of Mali.
Notification (148 kB) Letter
of tribute (134 kB)

Twitter chat with Christiana Figueres about the role of business and public-private
partnerships in fighting climate change on 22 NovemberOn 22 November, 16:00 -
17:00 CET, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres will chat about the role of
public-private partnerships in responding to cimate change on Twitter. Users can follow
@Cfigueres and the hashtag #climatebiz to participate.

New IPCC report: More frequent droughts, floods to come due to climate
change18 November 2011
Kampala, Uganda
Climate change will make the drought and flooding events that have battered a number of
countries in 2011 more frequent in years to come, forcing nations to rethink the way they cope
with disasters. according to a new report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change.Report website Media
statement by Christiana Figueres (156 kB)

Christiana Figueres: "We need to work on the full transformation of the global
economy onto a low-emissions pathway."
Delivering the Robert Schuman Lecture at the Eco-Innovation Summit in Brussels, Christiana
Figueres highlighted the power of progressive business to change consumer and supplier
behaviour and turn it into a powerful vocal support that gives policy makers a clearer space in
which to act.
Statement (147 kB)

UNFCCC launches a new website design and logoOn 24 October 2011, the
UNFCCC secretariat launched a redesigned website and logo. The new website seeks to provide
enhanced access to conference information and documents for Parties and observer organizations,
the media and the general public. The new logo presents a new image that highlights the central
theme of the Convention and the institutional linkage to the United Nations.Notifications

Women invited to Tweet with UN's top climate change official on responding to
climate change on 24 OctoberOn 24 October 2011, from 17:00 to 18:00 CEST,
Christiana Figueres will engage with women around the world on responding to climate change.
Join Christiana on Twitter to chat about women and climate change, and tell her what you're
already doing to cut greenhouse gas emissions and help families and communities adapt to
climate change impacts. Follow the @CFigueres account to see all the questions from other users
and answers to those questions.

Christiana Figueres: "We need, and are poised for, a new industrial and energy
revolution." 10 October 2011
London, United Kingdom
In an address at the International Green Business Dinner in London, Christiana Figueres urged
business leaders to provide the impetus to spark a green revolution based on environmentally
sound technologies and facilitated by new ways of deploying finance.
Statement (164 kB)

Young people invited to engage on Twitter with the UN's top climate change official
on 17 October 2011On 17 October 2011, from 16:00 to 17:00 CET, UNFCCC Executive
Secretary Christiana Figueres will engage with young people around the world who are concerned
about climate change and eager to do their bit to make a difference, in an interactive dialogue
on Twitter. Via the Twitter account @CFigueres, the UN's top climate change official will
be asking young people "What are you doing to fight climate change?" and will be
responding to their questions. Hashtag: #unfcccyouth.

Panama climate talks mean governments can push ahead strongly in Durban with concrete
help for developing world to deal with climate change7 October 2011
Panama City, Panama
A week of formal climate negotiations in Panama ended on Friday with progress on drafting those
decision texts that will allow governments to push ahead strongly in Durban with concrete help
for the developing world to deal with climate change.
Press release (185 kB)

Host country agreement signed for Durban Climate Change Conference3
October 2011
Panama City, Panama
The Host Country Agreement for COP 17/CMP 7, which takes place in Durban, South Africa from 28
November to 9 December 2011, was signed in Panama today between UNFCCC Executive Secretary
Christiana Figueres, and COP 17/CMP 7 President-Designate Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of
International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa. After the signing
ceremony Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said: "It is indeed a reflection of South Africa's
commitment to the success of the conference." The Executive Secretary expressed her
gratitude to the minister and, on behalf of all, said: "We are very much looking forward
to coming to Durban." The Host Country Agreement, which covers all the logistical
requirements for the conference, is an important landmark towards the success of a
COP/CMP.More

Governments recognize current global climate efforts are not enough and need to take
next step in Durban, says UN climate change chief2 October 2011
Panama City, Panama
Governments recognize that they need to speed up and scale up their efforts to combat climate
change and they know that negotiations this week in Panama are important to prepare the ground
for the next successful step towards that goal in Durban, the UN climate change chief
said.
Press release (182 kB)

Latest edition UNFCCC newsletter28 September 2011
Bonn, Germany
This edition focuses on the upcoming Climate Change Conference in Panama and includes video
messages from both UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres and Maite Nkoana-Mashabane,
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa and
President-Designate of COP 17/CMP 7.NewsletterSubscribeUltima
edición del boletín de la CMNUCCSuscripción

Christiana Figueres: "The business success of tomorrow is born of the low carbon
opportunities of today."
26 September 2011
London, United Kingdom
Speaking at the CEO sustainability forum in London, Christiana Figueres urged assembled
business leaders to do their utmost to create a virtuous circle that can power new growth,
create jobs in new sectors and help alleviate poverty.
Statement (170 kB)

UNFCCC joins 'Caring for Climate'19 September 2011
New York, USA
The United Nations Global Compact, UNEP and the UNFCCC secretariat have signed an agreement to
join forces on Caring for Climate, the Global Compact-UNEP initiative aimed at advancing the
role of business in addressing climate change.
Press release (230 kB)

Press briefing by Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres in New
York19 September 2011
New York, USA
At a press briefing in New York, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres spelt out her
expectations for COP 17 in Durban and mentioned the significance of high-level consultations
in New York during the UN General Assembly.View
webcast
Press briefing introduction (96 kB)

The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment15 September
2011
Bamako, Mali
Addressing the Conference, UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary Richard Kinley encouraged Africa
to use its negotiating weight to try to raise the bar and achieve a big step forward at this
year's Climate Change Conference in Durban, and underlined the importance of compromise
by all to make Durban a success.
Statement (171 kB)

Design process of UNFCCC Green Climate Fund fully on track, says UNFCCC Executive
Secretary13 September 2011
Bonn, Germany
The third meeting of the Transitional Committee tasked with designing the UNFCCC's new
Green Climate Fund (11-13 September) concluded Tuesday in Geneva, with solid progress made on
the design of the Fund. Next to advances on the nuts and bolts of how the Green Climate Fund
will function, this includes a broad agreement on the importance of private sector
engagement.
Press release (184 kB)

Transitional Committee for the design of the Green Climate Fund, 3rd
meeting
Geneva, Switzerland
11-13 September 2011
The second meeting of the Transitional Committee concluded with an agreed work plan to deliver
a result to the COP in Durban.
Notification (275 kB)View webcastMore

Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee, 26th meeting (JISC 26)
Bonn, Germany
13-14 September 2011
The report of the 26th meeting of the JISC, including its annexes, is available online.View
webcast
More

Cuba deposits its instrument of acceptance of the amendment to Annex B to the Kyoto
Protocol12 September 2011
At the second session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to
the Kyoto Protocol, held in Nairobi, Kenya from 6 to 17 November 2006, the Parties adopted an
amendment to Annex B to the Protocol by decision 10/CMP.2, in accordance with Articles 20 and
21 of the Protocol.
Cuba deposited its instrument of acceptance of the amendment to Annex B to the Kyoto
Protocol on 8 September 2011. The total number of States and regional economic integration
organizations that have deposited instruments of acceptance is now 25.More

Geneva meeting on Green Climate Fund to consider the role of public and private capital
in funding transformational change towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient
world9 September 2011
Bonn, Germany
The third meeting of the UNFCCC's Transitional Committee of the Green Climate Fund (11 to
13 September) is set to begin in Geneva on Sunday, continuing work on the design of the
Fund.
Press release (184 kB)

UN Climate Chief hails progress at first meeting of the Technology Executive
Committee3 September 2011
Bonn, Germany
The first meeting of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC), the policy arm of the Technology
Mechanism, closed in Bonn today with important progress achieved. The meeting saw three days of
key deliberations on how the TEC will provide overviews of technology needs, assess policy and
technical issues related to technology development and transfer, share information on new and
innovative technologies, facilitate and catalyse action on technology, and find ways to engage
stakeholders to build the momentum on the Technology Mechanism.
Press release (196 kB)View
webcastMore

UN climate chief welcomes first meeting of the Technology Executive Committee, urges
deeper collaboration among countries with active stakeholder engagement 1
September 2011
Bonn, Germany
The first meeting of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC), the policy arm of the Technology
Mechanism, began in Bonn today. The meeting will see three days of key deliberations on how the
TEC will operate and interact with the other institutions under the Convention to facilitate
the implementation of the Technology Mechanism in achieving a significant global increase in
the development, commercialisation, spread and use of environmentally-sound technologies. Press
release (196 kB)

South Africa says "All systems go" for the UN Climate Change Conference in
Durban
02 August 2011
Pretoria, South Africa
Speaking to the press in Pretoria, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations
and Cooperation of the RSA, and incoming President of COP 17/CMP 7, said that with just less
than four months to go, South Africa as host country is well prepared for the event.Statement

Enforcement Branch, 14th meeting
Bonn, Germany
22-27 August 2011
The 14th meeting of the enforcement branch of the Compliance Committee concluded on 27 August
2011. Proceedings can be reviewed via the on-demand webcast.View
webcastMore

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calls climate change "a very credible threat to
peace and security around the world"New York, USA
21 July 2011
The threat posed by climate change was underlined by the UN Secretary-General at a Security
Council meeting on the impact of climate change on the maintenance of international peace and
security.
View webcast Security Council Meeting -
Statement by Ban Ki-moon
View webcast Climate Change - Security Council Meeting (Part
1) (Part
2)

Africa Carbon ForumMarrakech, Morocco
4-6 July 2011
Speaking at the closing session of the third Africa Carbon Forum held in Marrakech, Christiana
Figueres highlighted the great potential for Africa to participate in the carbon market, which
she said is in the process of reinvigorating itself.
Statement (167 kB)
Press release (183 kB)

UN's top climate change official reports advances on key issues at June talks,
notes issues needing high-level political guidance
Bonn, Germany
17 June 2011
Speaking on the final day of the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany, the UNís
climate change chief said that the negotiations had made clear advances on key issues and were
also identifying areas that will require high-level political leadership ahead of the annual
conference in Durban.
Press release (185 kB)

Launch of new UN information portal on Multilateral Environmental
AgreementsGeneva, Switzerland
14 June 2011
The Multilateral Environmental Agreements Information and Knowledge Management Initiative (MEA
IKM), launched on Tuesday in Geneva, helps governments and the wider environment community
access information about multiple agreements from one location on the web.InforMEA website |
Press release

New UNFCCC roster of consultantsThe UNFCCC frequently requires specialized
consultants with broad experience in the domestic and international arena to undertake
professional level assignments. Potential consultants can now register directly online via the
new UNFCCC roster of consultants.More

Carbon Expo 2011 Roundtable: "From carbon finance to climate finance" - Are
we getting there? 1 June 2011
Barcelona, Spain
In her keynote address, Christiana Figueres spoke of the pivotal role of finance in the global
response to climate change, and highlighted the increased mitigation benefits to be achieved by
blending both carbon finance and climate finance.
Statement (142 kB)
View press briefing

Latest edition UNFCCC newsletter31 May 2011
Bonn, Germany
This edition features upcoming events, with a focus on the June Climate Change Conference in
Bonn, as well as the latest developments in the process, and includes a video message from
UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres.NewsletterSubscribeUltima
edición del boletín de la CMNUCCSuscripción

Latest edition UNFCCC newsletter31 May 2011
Bonn, Germany
This edition features upcoming events, with a focus on the June Climate Change Conference in
Bonn, as well as the latest developments in the process, and includes a video message from
UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres.NewsletterSubscribeUltima
edición del boletín de la CMNUCCSuscripción

UN Climate Chief says IEA estimate of record 2010 emissions is stark warning to
governments to make rapid climate progress this year
Bonn, Germany
30 May 2011
Latest estimates from the International Energy Agency (IEA) showing that greenhouse gas
emissions from world energy generation reached record levels in 2010 are a stark warning to
governments to provide strong new progress this year towards global solutions to climate
change, Christiana Figueres said on Monday.
Press release (171 kB)

World Environment Day 2011
World Environment Day on 5 June is an annual event aimed at being the biggest and most widely
celebrated global day for positive environmental action. The theme for this year's World
Environment Day celebrations is: "Forests: Nature at Your Service".More

40th GEF Council MeetingWashington D.C.,
24 May 2011
In a statement to the meeting, Christiana Figueres acknowledged the GEF's support to
developing countries over the years in implementing mitigation and adaptation projects and
underlined the central role of the GEF in the discussions on financial issues that will be a
focus of the Climate Change Conference in Durban.
Statement (114 kB)

Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to be nominated President-Designate of COP 17/CMP
7Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of
the Republic of South Africa, will be proposed as President-Designate of COP 17/CMP 7.More

Organization of American States: Lecture Series of the
AmericasWashington D.C,
13 May 2011
In her speech to the OAS, Christiana Figueres highlighted the need for the Americas to
capitalize on incentives provided by the Cancun Agreements in order to take climate change
action to the next level.
Statement (150 kB) esp
(152 kB)

Noon briefing at UN Headquarters New York,
12 May 2011
Speaking at the noon briefing, Christiana Figueres said that Governments are looking at ways to
move forward with a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.Summary

17th International Sustainable Development Research ConferenceNew
York,
10 May 2011
In a keynote speech to the conference, Christiana Figueres stressed the urgency of moving
towards green, sustainable growth as the new global norm, and highlighted the need to fully
seize the opportunity that renewable energy offers.
Statement (155 kB)

IPCC 33rd plenary sessionAbu Dhabi, UAE
10-13 May 2011
Addressing the 33rd plenary session of the IPCC, Florin Vladu, on behalf of the UNFCCC
Executive Secretary, underlined the important contribution the IPCC has to make to the climate
change negotiations, particularly with regard to the review of the adequacy of the long-term
global goal of limiting the temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius.
Statement (138 kB)

UN Climate Chief tells Green Climate Fund designers they have historic task, says
progress can encourage new success in DurbanMexico City, Mexico
29 April 2011
The Green Climate Fund, a part of last year's broad international climate agreement in
Cancun, Mexico, must become the window into an era of vastly greater financing for climate
action in the developing world, the head of the United Nations climate change secretariat said
on Friday.
Press release (55 kB) Esp
(198 kB)

First meeting of the Transitional Committee for the design of the Green Climate
FundMexico City, Mexico
28-29 April 2011
In her opening address, Christiana Figueres said that the task before the Transitional
Committee is to propose a design that will make the Green Climate Fund the window into a new
era of vastly greater financing for climate action in the developing world, and to do so in
time for approval in Durban.
Statement (106 kB)

First meeting of the Transitional Committee for the design of the Green Climate
Fund
Mexico City, Mexico
28 - 29 April 2011
In order to scale up the provision of long-term financing for developing countries, Governments
at COP 16 in Cancun decided to establish a Green Climate Fund. A Transitional Committee
selected by Parties to the UNFCCC, which will design the details of the new fund, met for the
first time from 28-29 April 2011 in Mexico City, Mexico.MoreView meeting and press briefing webcast

High-level Inter-parliamentary Debate on Climate ChangeBrussels,
Belgium
19 April 2011
Speaking at the debate in the European Parliament, Christiana Figueres urged the European Union
(EU) to continue its leadership role in the inter-governmental climate change negotiations and
to show ambition in raising its target for mitigating emissions to 30 percent. She welcomed the
EU's readiness to explore signing up to a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol
and called for a scaling up of the market-based mechanisms for mitigating climate change.
Statement (166 kB)

Governments agree Transitional Committee members for new Green Climate
FundBonn, Germany
15 April 2011
Parties to the UNFCCC have agreed the selection of the forty members who will be entrusted with
the task of designing the Green Climate Fund, the new institution which will manage long-term
finance mobilized to enable developing countries to address climate change.
Press release (197 kB)

Energy Efficiency Global Forum 2011Brussels, Belgium
14 April 2011
Accepting an award on behalf of the UNFCCC secretariat at this year's Energy Efficiency
Global Forum, Christiana Figueres called for a concerted global effort towards energy
efficiency. She underlined the huge contribution energy efficiency can make to a climate-safe
world, especially towards increasing the level of ambition in a cost-effective way.
Statement (190 kB)

Georgia deposited its instrument of acceptance of the amendment to Annex B to the Kyoto
Protocol12 April 2011
At the second session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to
the Kyoto Protocol, held in Nairobi, Kenya from 6 to 17 November 2006, the Parties adopted an
amendment to Annex B to the Protocol by decision 10/CMP.2, in accordance with Articles 20 and
21 of the Protocol.
Georgia deposited its instrument of acceptance of the amendment to Annex B to the Kyoto
Protocol on 11 April 2011.
The total number of States and regional economic integration organizations that have deposited
instruments of acceptance is now 24.More

UN Climate Change Chief urges countries to push ahead with their work in
2011Bangkok, Thailand
8 April 2011
On the final day of the UN Climate Change Conference in Bangkok (3-8 April), UNFCCC Executive
Secretary Christiana Figueres urged countries to push ahead with their work to aim for another
significant step in addressing global climate change in 2011.
Press release (182 kB)

Opening address by Christiana Figueres at the UN Climate Change Conference,
BangkokBangkok, Thailand
5 April 2011
In her opening address at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bangkok, UNFCCC Executive
Secretary Christiana Figueres said that this session offers Parties a first opportunity to take
the practical issues agreed in Cancun forward in view of Durban, and expressed the hope that
the atmosphere of cooperation and compromise that characterized Cancun would prevail yet again.
She stressed that for Durban to be a success, the legal nature of mitigation commitments after
2012 needs to be addressed.
Statement (131 kB)

At UN Climate Change Negotiations in Bangkok, UN climate chief calls on governments to
purposefully tackle work agreed in 2010; address shortfalls in climate
actionBangkok, Thailand
4 April 2011
Speaking at the first UN climate change negotiating session of the year in Bangkok, Thailand,
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres called on governments to purposefully tackle
work agreed in 2010 and address shortfalls in climate action in order to put the world on a
climate-safe path. Press
release (184 kB) esp
(188 kB)
fra (189 kB) rus
(267 kB)

iPhone and iPad applications for the Bangkok meetings
2 April 2011
Stay tuned and up-to-date by the minute on what's happening at the conference! Using the
application, users can among many other things:
View the latest youtube videos and photos from the conference; read the latest documents,
agendas and meetings information; join the Talks via the Facebook and Twitter channels and be
part of the action; get logistical information about the conference.
Download the iPhone and iPad app – 'Negotiator' – free of charge here.

UN's top climate change official calls on governments to maintain momentum in order
to deliver on agreed timelines of Cancun AgreementsMexico City, Mexico
24 March 2011
Less than two weeks ahead of the UN Climate Change Change Conference in Bangkok (3-8 April
2011), the UN's top climate change official has called on governments to maintain momentum
to ensure that the timelines agreed at the UN Climate Change Conference in Cancun in December
of 2010 are met. Press
release (187 kB) es
(203 kB)Discurso para la prensa - vídeo en
español

Stakeholder Dialogue "Implementing the Cancun
Agreements"Mexico City, Mexico
22 March 2011
Addressing the meeting, Christiana Figueres said that the Cancun Agreements offer important
incentives to develop national climate change policies that can work in tandem with
international policy. She highlighted the key role of stakeholders in driving action, both for
adaptation and mitigation.
Speech (138 kB)Ver vídeo en español

COP 16 and CMP 6 official reports publishedBonn, Germany
16 March 2011
The official reports on the results of last year's UN Climate Change Conference in Cancun
have now been published. The reports detail the outcomes of the UNFCCC Conference of the
Parties at its 16th session (COP 16) and of the Conference of the Parties serving as the
meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol on its sixth session (CMP 6).More

Submissions from Parties in 2011
In response to recent requests from Parties, and following the practice already used for the
AWG-KP and AWG-LCA, submissions to the SBSTA and SBI are now available online immediately upon
receipt. A common portal has been created
through which all submissions from Parties can be viewed.

Earth Hour 2011: Time to go beyond the hourAt 8:30 pm on Saturday 26
March 2011, lights will go out around the globe for Earth Hour and people will commit to
actions that go beyond the hour. Hundreds of millions of people are set to take part in this
year's campaign, which will also mark Japan's earthquake and tsunami.More

UN's top climate change official calls on governments to quickly transform Cancun
Agreements into action, provide clarity on future of the Kyoto ProtocolTokyo,
Japan
1 March 2011
Speaking to media Tuesday on a visit to Japan, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres
called on governments to quickly transform the Cancún Agreements, agreed at the UN
Climate Change Conference in Mexico in December of last year, into tangible action on the
ground, and provide clarity on the future of the Kyoto Protocol. Press
release (185 kB)

Symposium of the Institute for Global Environmental StrategiesTokyo,
Japan
28 February 2011
Speaking at the symposium, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres highlighted that
Japan's intended -25 percent target would be testimony to strategic economic thinking and
create cutting-edge economic advantages. She urged Japan to assess how an international climate
change agreement could help achieve this ambitious target, and cautioned that a categorical
"no" to the Kyoto Protocol would cause Japan to lose out on the sizeable investments
it had already made into Kyoto Protocol infrastructure.
Speech (106 kB)

Assessment of Cancun Agreements by UNFCCC Executive Secretary online
Bonn, Germany
26 February 2011
An assessment of the Cancun Agreements agreed at COP16 in Mexico in December is available on
the website. The assessment, by UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres, looks at what
governments have agreed to do in the field of international action on climate change in 2011,
and will contain regular updates charting progress made in the course of the year. It can be
accessed via a new entry point on the website entitled "Cancun Agreements: Overview."

Andorra deposits its instrument of accession to the ConventionAndorra
deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention on 2 March 2011. The Convention will
enter into force for Andorra on 31 May 2011. Andorra's accession will bring the number of
Parties to the Convention - both States and regional economic integration organizations - to
195. A full list of the Parties who have ratified or acceded to the Convention can be found
here.

First meeting of the Transitional Committee for the design of the Green Climate Fund,
Mexico City, 14-15 March.

MEETING POSTPONED

The UNFCCC secretariat wishes to inform Parties, observer States and observer
organizations that the first meeting of the Transitional Committee for the design of the
Green Climate Fund (decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 110) scheduled to be held on 14 - 15 March
2011, in Mexico City, Mexico has been postponed until the latter part of April
2011.

Address to the Congress of Deputies of Spain on climate change and
security
Madrid, Spain
15 February 2011
In an address to the Congress of Deputies of Spain at the Centro Superior de Estudios de la
Defensa Nacional, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres warned that more frequent and
more severe natural disasters and water shortages had the potential to cause large-scale
destabilizing population movements and highlighted the role of defense chiefs in convincing
governments to shift to low-carbon societies.
Speech (27 kB)
Versión española (156 kB)

Address to the Conference of the Secretariat General Iberoamericana on opportunities
for Latin America resulting from COP16
Madrid, Spain
15 February 2011
Speaking at the Conference of the Secretariat General Iberoamericana, UNFCCC Executive
Secretary Christiana Figueres said that Latin America had a number of key opportunities to take
climate change action to the next level - both in adaptation and in mitigation - and that it
was important that these opportunities be fully capitalised, notably through the Cancun
Agreements.
Speech (172 kB)
Versión española (158 kB)

Reminder COP 17/CMP 7: Admission of new observer organizationsBonn,
Germany
7 February 2011
The application deadline for the admission of new observer organizations to attend COP 17/CMP 7
is 1 March 2011. Information on how to apply can be found on the Civil society and the Climate Change Process
page.

59th meeting of the CDM Executive Board
Bonn, Germany
14-18 February 2011
The provisional agenda and its annotations for the 59th meeting of the CDM Executive Board are
available online.MoreView
Webcast

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figures now on TwitterNew Delhi,
India
7 February 2011
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres has begun sending personal messages via her new
Twitter account, @CFigueres. The
UN's top climate change official is this week sending first tweets from Pakistan, where
around a million people are still homeless six months after last year's devastating floods.
With such disasters set to become more frequent and intense due to climate change, she is
drawing attention to the need for rebuilding in Pakistan to be climate-smart. Followers of the
UN climate change process can also receive updates on the latest UNFCCC documents by following
the UNFCCC's @UN_ClimateTalks Twitter account.

Delhi Sustainable Development SummitNew Delhi, India
5 February 2011
Addressing the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit, Christiana Figueres said that the Cancun
Agreements are a giant step for the community of nations, but a small step for the planet, with
much remaining to be done. She called on all nations to play their part to ensure that the
Cancun Agreements are fully utilized for action at all levels.
Statement (162 kB)

First round of formal UN climate change negotiations in 2011 to take place in
March/April in Bangkok, Thailand
28 January 2011
Bonn, Germany
The UNFCCC COP 16 Bureau decided on Tuesday, 25 January that the next round of AWG-KP and
AWG-LCA meetings, as well as workshops pursuant to the Cancun Agreements, should take place in
Bangkok from Sunday, 3 April through Friday, 8 April 2011. These meetings and workshops are to
be preceded by preparatory regional group meetings from 30 March to 2 April. Further
information will be made available soon.
Notification to IGOs and NGOs (385 kB) (14 February 2011)
Notification to Parties and observers (211 kB) ( 09 February 2011)
Information Note to Parties and observers (285 kB) ( 28 January 2011)

World Future Energy Summit
Abu Dhabi
17 January 2011
Addressing the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, Christiana Figueres spoke of a new era
ushered in by the Cancun Agreements that opens the doors to a future of economic growth powered
by low-carbon choices. She highlighted the need for the rapid scaling up of energy efficiency,
as well as the commercial, widespread use of renewable energy.
Statement (138 kB)